EP3592970B1 - Energieerzeugungssystem und verfahren zur erzeugung von energie aus einer meeresflut - Google Patents

Energieerzeugungssystem und verfahren zur erzeugung von energie aus einer meeresflut Download PDF

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Publication number
EP3592970B1
EP3592970B1 EP18717134.3A EP18717134A EP3592970B1 EP 3592970 B1 EP3592970 B1 EP 3592970B1 EP 18717134 A EP18717134 A EP 18717134A EP 3592970 B1 EP3592970 B1 EP 3592970B1
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Prior art keywords
dam
water
generating system
energy generating
panels
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EP18717134.3A
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English (en)
French (fr)
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EP3592970A1 (de
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Patrick Joseph PRENDERGAST
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    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/264Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy using the horizontal flow of water resulting from tide movement
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B13/00Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates
    • F03B13/12Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy
    • F03B13/26Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy
    • F03B13/268Adaptations of machines or engines for special use; Combinations of machines or engines with driving or driven apparatus; Power stations or aggregates characterised by using wave or tide energy using tide energy making use of a dam
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B7/00Barrages or weirs; Layout, construction, methods of, or devices for, making same
    • E02B7/20Movable barrages; Lock or dry-dock gates
    • E02B7/26Vertical-lift gates
    • E02B7/28Vertical-lift gates with sliding gates
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B9/00Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
    • E02B9/02Water-ways
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B9/00Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
    • E02B9/02Water-ways
    • E02B9/022Closures
    • E02B9/027Sliding closures
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F03MACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS; WIND, SPRING, OR WEIGHT MOTORS; PRODUCING MECHANICAL POWER OR A REACTIVE PROPULSIVE THRUST, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F03BMACHINES OR ENGINES FOR LIQUIDS
    • F03B7/00Water wheels
    • EFIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E02HYDRAULIC ENGINEERING; FOUNDATIONS; SOIL SHIFTING
    • E02BHYDRAULIC ENGINEERING
    • E02B9/00Water-power plants; Layout, construction or equipment, methods of, or apparatus for, making same
    • E02B9/08Tide or wave power plants
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02ATECHNOLOGIES FOR ADAPTATION TO CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02A20/00Water conservation; Efficient water supply; Efficient water use
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/20Hydro energy
    • YGENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02EREDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/30Energy from the sea, e.g. using wave energy or salinity gradient

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an energy generating system and in particular, the invention relates to an energy generating system for generating energy from a sea tide.
  • the invention also relates to a method for generating energy from a sea tide.
  • German Patent Specification No. 88,676 of Knobloch published on September 21, 1896 discloses a hydropower plant for generating usable energy from a sea tide.
  • the hydropower plant comprises a dam which is configured to isolate a water containment area from a sea.
  • the dam comprises two variable height dam elements and a buoyancy means.
  • the buoyancy means is co-operable with each dam element and is configured to control the height of each of the dam elements in response to a level of water.
  • Each dam element in a raised state defines a portion of a water race between the water containment area and the sea to allow water to flow therethrough.
  • a water wheel is operably located in the water race and is configured to produce usable energy.
  • the energy generating system comprises a dam which is configured to isolate a water containment area from a sea.
  • the dam comprises a variably height dam element and a buoyancy means.
  • the energy generating system comprises a variable height dam element and a buoyancy means which is co-operable with the dam element and is configured to control the height of the dam element in response to a level of water.
  • Belgian Patent Application Specification No. 357,648 of Vacquier published on January 28, 1929 discloses an energy generating system for generating energy from a sea tide.
  • the energy generating system comprises a dam which is configured to isolate a water containment area from an adjacent sea.
  • European Patent Application Specification No. 2,687,717 of Jeute discloses a floating power station comprising coaxial rolls of blades positioned at their circumference whereby the rolls are configured to be partially submerged in water such that the flow of water incoming to the submerged portion of the rolls causes rotation of the rolls along the common horizontal axis of rotation to which an electric power generator is connected.
  • U.S. Patent Specification No. 3,993,913 of Dickman published on November 23, 1976 discloses an energy generating system for generating energy from a body of water which is subject to tidal flow.
  • the energy generating system comprises a dam which comprises a plurality of dam elements.
  • Each dam element defines a water race between a water containment area and the sea to allow water to flow therethrough between the water containment area and the sea.
  • a waterwheel assembly is operably located in each corresponding water race and is configured to produce useable energy.
  • U.S. Patent Application Specification No. 2005/0052031 of Atiya published on March 10, 2005 discloses an energy generating system for generating energy from a sea tide.
  • the energy generating system comprises a dam which is configured to isolate a water containment area from a sea.
  • Turbines which are connected to electrical generators are operably located in the dam. When the tidal level in the sea is near its minimum level the difference in water levels between the water containment area and the sea is at a maximum, therefore creating a maximum pressure head. Gates to the turbines are then opened allowing water to flow through and activate the turbines which in turn activate the generators which in turn produce electric power.
  • the present invention is directed towards providing such an energy generating system and a method.
  • an energy generating system for generating energy from a sea tide comprising a dam configured to isolate a water containment area from a sea, the dam comprising at least one variable height dam element, a buoyancy means co-operable with each dam element and configured to control the height of the corresponding dam element in response to a level of water, the dam element being configured to define a water race between the water containment area and the sea to allow water flow therethrough between the sea and the water containment area, and a water wheel operably located in each water race configured to produce usable energy, wherein each dam element comprises a plurality of dam panels hingedly connected in series.
  • each buoyancy means is configured to progressively rise the corresponding dam element in response to a rising tide.
  • each buoyancy means is configured to progressively lower the corresponding dam element in response to a falling water level of the water in the water containment area.
  • each buoyancy means extends transversely relative to the corresponding dam element on at least one side of the dam element.
  • each buoyancy means extends transversely relative to the corresponding dam element on respective opposite sides thereof.
  • At least one main guide means is configured to guide each dam element in a generally upwardly and downwardly direction.
  • a pair of spaced apart upstanding support members are provided extending upwardly from a sea bed for supporting each dam element therebetween, and a main sealing means is provided for forming a seal between each dam element and the corresponding upstanding support members.
  • each dam element and the corresponding buoyancy means are configured to move relative to the pair of upstanding support members.
  • the main guide means extend longitudinally along at least one of the upstanding support members.
  • each upstanding support member defines a corresponding one of the main guide means of the corresponding upstanding support member as a corresponding elongated main guide slot.
  • the dam panels of each dam element are moveable in a concertina manner between an inoperative folded state with the dam panels lying side by side and parallel to each other and an operative state with the dam panels substantially aligned with each other to form the dam element.
  • a plurality of secondary sealing means are provided for forming seals between the respective dam panels when the corresponding dam element is in the operative state.
  • each dam panel of each dam element comprises one of the secondary sealing means for sealing the dam panel to an adjacent one of the dam panels in the operative state.
  • dam panels of each dam element are configured to be progressively drawn from the folded state into the operative state in response to upward movement of the corresponding buoyancy means, and the dam panels are progressively returned from the operative state to the folded state in response to downward movement of the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • dam panels of each dam element are weighted to return to the folded state under gravity, in response to downward movement of the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • the dam panels of each dam element are stored in the folded state in a corresponding chamber.
  • the chamber of each dam element in which the dam panels thereof are stored in the folded state is located adjacent the sea bed.
  • the chamber of each dam element in which the dam panels thereof are stored in the folded state is recessed into the sea bed.
  • an uppermost one of the dam panels of each dam element is sealably coupled to the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • the uppermost one of the dam panels of each dam element is adjustably coupled to the corresponding buoyancy means such that the spacing between the buoyancy means and the uppermost dam panel is variable.
  • the dam panels of each dam element are moveable within the corresponding main guide means.
  • the dam panels of each dam element are sealably and slideably engageable in the corresponding main guide means.
  • a secondary guide means is provided for guiding each buoyancy means as the buoyancy means rises and falls in response to the rising and falling water levels.
  • each buoyancy means defines with the corresponding dam element the corresponding water race.
  • each buoyancy means comprises a pair of spaced apart buoyancy tanks.
  • the buoyancy tanks of each pair thereof define with the corresponding dam element, the corresponding water race.
  • each water wheel is configured to rotate in one direction in response to a rising tide, and to rotate in the opposite direction in response to a falling tide.
  • each water wheel comprises a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart water engaging elements located on the water wheel and configured to extend into the corresponding water race.
  • the water engaging elements are equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the periphery of the corresponding water wheel.
  • each water engaging element defines a hollow interior region.
  • the hollow interior region of each water engaging element is evacuated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure.
  • each water engaging element is radially spaced apart outwardly from the periphery of the corresponding water wheel.
  • each water wheel is supported on the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • each water wheel is rotatably carried on the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • each water wheel is supported on the corresponding buoyancy means such that the water wheel is continuously operably located in the corresponding water race.
  • each water wheel is rotatably carried on a support means mounted on the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • each water wheel is mounted fast on a drive shaft rotatably supported on the corresponding buoyancy means.
  • the drive shaft of each water wheel is coupled one of directly and indirectly to an electricity generator.
  • a plurality of water races are defined by a plurality of corresponding dam elements, and the drive shafts of the water wheels corresponding to the respective dam elements are coupled in series, and are in turn coupled to the electricity generator.
  • each drive shaft is coupled to the adjacent drive shaft by a flexible coupling.
  • each drive shaft is coupled to the adjacent drive shaft by a universal joint.
  • the dam comprises a plurality of spaced apart upstanding support members and a plurality of the dam elements located between respective adjacent pairs of the upstanding support members.
  • each upstanding support member comprises a pair of spaced apart stanchions defining the main guide slot therebetween.
  • the main sealing means comprises a pair of elongated sealing members extending from the respective stanchions into the corresponding main guide slot for sealably and slideably engaging the corresponding dam element in the operative state adjacent one end thereof.
  • the dam is configured to extend from land at one side of an estuary to land at an opposite side of the estuary to define the water containment area in the estuary between the land and the dam.
  • a sluice means is provided for selectively permitting water to flow through the dam bypassing the one or more water races.
  • the sluice means is located in the dam.
  • the sluice means comprises a sluice panel having at least one sluice opening extending therethrough, and a closure means operable between a closed state closing the at least one sluice opening and an open state permitting water to flow through the at least one sluice opening.
  • the sluice panel extends generally upwardly from the sea bed.
  • the sluice panel is sealably secured to the sea bed and extends between an adjacent pair of the upstanding support members and is sealably secured thereto.
  • an urging means is provided for urging the closure means between the open and the closed states.
  • the sluice panel comprises a plurality of spaced apart sluice openings
  • the closure means comprises a closure panel comprising a plurality of communicating openings extending therethrough, the closure panel being slideable between the open state with the communicating opening aligned with the respective sluice openings, and the closed state closing the sluice openings.
  • the sluice openings in the sluice panel are equi-spaced apart vertically from each other.
  • the closure panel is slideable in a generally vertical direction.
  • a pair of sluiced panels are provided spaced apart from each other and substantially parallel to each other with the closure panel located therebetween.
  • each sluice panel is located between an adjacent pair of the upstanding support members.
  • a water level differential monitoring means for monitoring the water level differential on respective opposite sides of the dam is provided, and the closure means is urged into the open state in response to the monitored water level differential exceeding a predefined water level differential value.
  • the water level differential monitoring means comprises a pair of level sensors for determining the difference in the level of water on the respective opposite sides of the dam.
  • the urging means is responsive to the monitored water level differential exceeding the predefined water level differential value for urging the closure means from the closed state to the open state.
  • the invention also provides a dam for the energy generating system according to the invention.
  • the invention also provides a method for generating energy from a sea tide, the method comprising providing a dam to form a water containment area separated from the sea by the dam, locating at least one variable height dam element in the dam, coupling the dam element to a buoyancy means for controlling the height of the dam element in response to a level of water, configuring the dam element to define a water race between the water containment area and the sea to allow water to flow therethrough between the sea and the water containment area, and locating a water wheel in the water race to rotate in response to water flowing through the water race to produce useable energy, wherein each dam element comprises a plurality of dam panels hingedly connected in series.
  • the advantages of the invention are many.
  • the dam according to the invention of the energy generating system also according to the invention is of variable height, the energy generating system is continuously operable to continuously generate energy throughout all phases of the rising, falling and turning of a sea tide.
  • the dam element of the dam is of variable height and varies in response to water level, the energy generated by the energy generating system remains substantially constant for all states of the sea tide.
  • a further advantage of the invention lies in the fact that the energy generating system is located in an estuary, which can be located in a relatively sheltered location whereby the estuary and in turn the energy generating system is protected from stormy conditions out at sea.
  • a further advantage of the invention is achieved when the dam is provided with the sluice means which allows for the control of the water level differential between the water levels on respective opposite sides of the dam.
  • a further advantage of the invention is that the energy generating system according to the invention is a non-polluting system. It neither pollutes the water, nor does it pollute the air. Additionally, by generating electricity from tidal movement, once the capital cost of the energy generating system has been recovered, the only other costs in operating the system are maintenance and running costs. The raw material, namely, the tidal movement of the sea water for generating the electricity, is cost free.
  • an energy generating system for generating useable energy, in this case electrical energy from a sea tide.
  • the energy generating system 1 comprises a dam 3 also according to the invention, which extends across an estuary 5 from a bank 6 of land 7 defining the estuary 5 to an opposite bank 8 of the land 7 so that the dam 3 defines with the land 7 a water containment area 10 in the estuary 5.
  • Sea water on the seaward side 11 of the dam 3, on a rising tide flows over the dam 3 into the water containment area 10 where it is retained and slowly released back over the dam 3 to the sea on the seaward side 11 on a falling tide.
  • the energy generating system 1 is configured so that on a rising tide water continuously flows over the dam 3 from the sea 11 into the water containment area 10, and electrical energy is continuously generated by the energy generating system 1, and on a falling tide water continuously flows over the dam 3 from the water containment area 10 to the sea 11, and electrical energy is also continuously generated by the energy generating system 1 as will be described below.
  • the dam 3 comprises a plurality of upstanding support members 12 embedded in the sea bed 14 and extending upwardly therefrom and spaced apart from each other across the estuary 5 from the bank 6 of the land 7 to the opposite bank 8 thereof.
  • a plurality of variable height dam elements 15, which are described in more detail below, are located between respective adjacent pairs of the upstanding support members 12.
  • Each dam element 15 is sealably engageable with its corresponding adjacent pair of upstanding support members 12 and is sealably slideable upwardly and downwardly within the adjacent pairs of upstanding support members 12 for varying the height of the dam element.
  • a main buoyancy means in this embodiment of the invention a pair of spaced apart main buoyancy tanks 17 are located above each dam element 15 with an upper end 18 of the dam element 15 sealably coupled to the main buoyancy tanks 17 adjacent the underside thereof, as will be described below with reference to Fig. 15 .
  • Each main buoyancy tank 17 is coupled to the corresponding dam element 15 with the main buoyancy tank 17 extending substantially transversely of the dam element 15 and outwardly from the dam element 15 on respective opposite sides thereof, so that the main buoyancy tanks 17 are responsive to the higher level of the water on the seaward side 11 of the dam 3 and the water containment area 10, for rising and lowering the corresponding dam element 15 in response to rising and falling of the higher of the two water levels.
  • each pair of main buoyancy tanks 17 and the corresponding dam element 15 is such that the main buoyancy tanks 17 are partly submerged, and each pair of main buoyancy tanks 17 together with the upper end 18 of the corresponding dam element 15 define a water race 19 through which water flows from the sea into the water containment area 10 on a rising tide, and through which water flows on a falling tide from the water containment area to the sea.
  • a plurality of water wheels 20, one for each water race 19, are mounted fast on corresponding drive shafts 21 which define main rotational axes 22 of the respective water wheels 20.
  • the drive shafts 21 are rotatably carried as will be described below on support means comprising respective pairs of support frameworks 23, which in turn are carried on the corresponding pairs of the main buoyancy tanks 17 of the respective dam elements 15.
  • the support frameworks 23 are of height above the corresponding main buoyancy tanks 17, so that the water wheels 20 extend into the respective water races 19, so that water flowing through the water races 19 rotates the water wheels 20, and in turn the drive shafts 21.
  • the drive shafts 21 of the respective water wheels are connected in series, with adjacent ones of the drive shafts 21 connected by flexible joints, in this embodiment of the invention provided by universal joints (not shown).
  • the endmost ones of the drive shafts 21 are coupled to respective electricity generators 24 which are mounted on carrier frameworks 25, which in turn are supported on secondary buoyancy tanks 27.
  • the secondary buoyancy tanks 27 are mounted on corresponding dam elements 15 and extend transversely of the dam elements on respective opposite sides thereof in similar manner as the main buoyancy tanks 17 likewise extend on respective opposite sides of the dam elements 15, so that the secondary buoyancy tanks 27 are responsive to the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 3 in similar manner as the main buoyancy tanks 17 are likewise responsive to the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 3.
  • the two dam elements are sealably secured to the underside of the corresponding secondary buoyancy tanks 27 in similar manner as the dam elements 15 are secured to the underside of the main buoyancy tanks 17.
  • the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27, and the support frameworks 23 and the carrier frameworks 25 are sized so that the main rotational axes 22 defined by the drive shafts 21 substantially coincide, and any minor height difference between adjacent ones of the drive shafts 21 is taken up by the universal joints (not shown) between the respective drive shafts 21.
  • each upstanding support member 12 comprises a pair of spaced apart co-operating stanchions 28 of I-cross-section embedded in the sea bed, see Figs. 3 , 5 and 14 .
  • Each pair of stanchions 28 forming a corresponding upstanding support member 12 defines a main guide means, namely an elongated vertically extending main guide slot 29 between the adjacent stanchions 28 for guiding one end of the corresponding dam element 15 upwardly and downwardly as will be described below as the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 rise and fall in response to rising and falling water levels.
  • each dam element 15 comprises a plurality of dam panels 30 hingedly connected in series, with adjacent ones of the dam panels 30 hingedly coupled to each other by hinges 31 so that the dam panels 30 of each dam element 15 are operable in a concertina manner from an inoperative folded state with adjacent pairs of the dam panels 30 lying side by side parallel to each other to an operative state with the dam panels 30 aligned with each other and lying in a common vertically extending plane to form the corresponding dam element 15, see Figs. 12 and 13 .
  • the dam panels 30 of the respective dam elements 15 are stored in the folded state in respective chambers 33 recessed into the sea bed 14 of the estuary 5 which extend between the corresponding adjacent pairs of upstanding support members 12.
  • Panel accommodating slots 34 from the respective chambers 33 accommodate the dam panels 30 out of and into the chambers 33 as the dam elements 15 are being urged upwardly and downwardly by the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27. Seals (not shown) in the respective slots 34 sealably engage the panels 30 for preventing the ingress of sea water into the chambers 33.
  • Main sealing means comprising longitudinally extending elongated main seals 35 extend the length of the stanchions 28 of each upstanding support member 12, and extend into the corresponding main guide slot 29 thereof for slideably and sealably engaging the dam panels 30 on each side thereof of the corresponding dam element 15 in the main guide slots 29 formed between the adjacent pairs of stanchions 28 to form substantially watertight seals between the main dam elements 15 and the corresponding pair of stanchions 28, see Fig. 14 .
  • Elongated engagement elements 38 extending the height of the main buoyancy tanks 17 and the secondary buoyancy tanks 27 slideably engage the corresponding main guide slots 29 between the corresponding adjacent pair of stanchions 28 of the adjacent corresponding upstanding support members 12.
  • the engagement elements 38 are slideably and sealably engaged by the main seals 35 to form a substantially watertight seal between the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 and the corresponding pair of stanchions 28, see Figs. 5 and 7 .
  • Secondary sealing means comprising elongated secondary seals 39 are provided between adjacent pair of dam panels 30 of each dam element 15, so that when the panels 30 are in the operative state, the adjacent dam panels 30 of each dam element 15 are substantially watertight, thereby further ensuring the watertightness of the dam 3, see Fig. 13 .
  • dam panels 30 of the dam elements 15 are weighted so that they are biased downwardly from the operative state to the folded state under gravity as the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 fall in response to the falling water level.
  • Adjustable coupling means namely, respective pair of chains 36, couple the upper most dam panel 30 at the upper end 18 of the respective dam elements 15 to the corresponding ones of the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27, as the case may be, so that the dam elements 15 may be lowered downwardly below the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27, in order to release water from one side of the dam 3 to the other side thereof in the event of an excessive water level differential between the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 3.
  • the chains 36 are wound onto winch drums 37 of respective winches 43 for raising and lowering the dam elements 15 relative to the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27, see Fig. 15 .
  • the chains 36 and the winches 43 are illustrated on the main buoyancy tanks 17 in Fig.
  • each upstanding support member 12 are reinforced by respective pairs of spaced apart upstanding reinforcing members, namely inner reinforcing members 40 and outer reinforcing members 41 also of I cross-section embedded in the sea bed 14 and located in the water containment area 10 and on the seaward side of the corresponding upstanding support member 12.
  • Reinforcing struts 42 extend between the stanchions 28 and the inner reinforcing members 40, and between the inner and outer reinforcing members 40 and 41, in order to maintain the spacing between the stanchions 28 defining the corresponding main guide slot 29 constant along the length of the corresponding upstanding support member 12.
  • the support frameworks 23 which are mounted on the main buoyancy tanks 17, and which rotatably support the drive shafts 21, the support frameworks 23 each comprise two pairs of upstanding frame members 45 which extend upwardly from the corresponding main buoyancy tank 17 towards the respective opposite ends thereof, and which are joined by cross-members 46 and transverse members 47.
  • Plummerblock bearings 48 mounted on the transverse members 47 of each support framework 23 rotatably carry the corresponding drive shaft 21.
  • the water wheels 20 are located on the drive shafts 21 between adjacent pairs of the support frameworks 23.
  • Guide bearings 49 mounted on the outer ones of the transverse members 47 of each pair of the support frameworks 23 are rollably engageable in secondary guide means, namely, in corresponding guide channels 50 defined by the corresponding upstanding inner reinforcing members 40 to the seaward side 1.1 and to the water containment area side of the dam 3 for guiding the support framework 23 upwardly and downwardly in response to the rising and falling of the water levels.
  • Guide bearings 51 mounted on the outer side of each main buoyancy tank 17 of each pair thereof similarly rollably engage the channels 50 of the inner reinforcing members 40 for guiding the main buoyancy tanks 15 upwardly and downwardly in response to the rising and falling water levels.
  • Guide bearings (not shown) similar to the guide bearings 49 and 51 are provided on the carrier frameworks 25 and on the secondary buoyancy tanks 27, respectively, which support the electricity generators 24, for rollably engaging the channels 50 of the corresponding ones of the inner reinforcing members 40, for in turn guiding the carrier frameworks 25 and the corresponding secondary buoyancy tanks 27 upwardly and downwardly in response to the rising and falling water levels.
  • each water wheel 20 comprises a hub 52 mounted fast on the corresponding drive shaft 21 and a circular peripheral rim 53 carried on the hub 52 by spoke 54, see Figs. 5 and 9 .
  • a plurality of water engaging elements namely, cylindrical tubes 55 are located equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the external periphery of the peripheral rim 53 of each water wheel 20 and are connected to the peripheral rim 53 by pairs of spaced apart connecting members 57 extending radially from the peripheral rim 53.
  • Each cylindrical tube 55 is of length substantially the width of the corresponding water race 19 defined between the corresponding adjacent pairs of main buoyancy tanks 17.
  • the cylindrical tubes 55 are closed at their respective opposite ends by end caps 56, and define respective hollow interior regions which are evacuated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure for enhancing the conversion of flowing energy in the water through the corresponding water race 19 into rotational energy of the water wheel 20.
  • the external diameter of the cylindrical tubes 55 will be dependent on the depth of water expected to flow through the water races 19. It is envisaged that the cylindrical tubes 55 will be set on the peripheral rim 53 of each water wheel 20 by the connecting members 57, so that the cylindrical tubes 55 pass through the corresponding water race 19 at a depth below the level of the water in the corresponding water race 19 of between 7mm and 10mm.
  • the drive shafts 21 extend across the dam 3, and adjacent drive shafts 21 are connected to each other by universal joints (not shown).
  • the drive shafts 21 are rotatably carried in the plummerblock bearings 48 mounted on the support frameworks 23.
  • the two end most drive shafts 21 are connected to the electricity generator 24 for driving the generator 24 to produce electricity in response to the rotation of the water wheels 20. Cables (not shown) from the electricity generators 24 distribute electricity therefrom.
  • the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 rise in response to a rising tide, once the level of the water on the seaward side 11 of the dam 3 exceeds the level of the water in the water containment area 10, thereby rising the dam elements 15.
  • the dam panels 30 of the dam elements 15 are drawn from the corresponding chambers 33 and transition from the inoperative folded state to the operative state.
  • main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 rise the dam elements 15, the water races 19 defined between the corresponding pairs of the main buoyancy tanks 17 and the corresponding dam elements 15 also rise with the main buoyancy tanks 17.
  • the water wheels 20 are maintained at a constant level in the water races 19 by virtue of the fact that the support frameworks 23 rise with the main buoyancy tanks 17.
  • the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 rise and water flows from the sea 11 through the water races 19 into the water containment area 10, thereby rotating the water wheels 20 in a clockwise or an anticlockwise direction, depending from which side the water wheels 20 are being viewed.
  • the rotating water wheels 20 drive the electricity generator through the drive shafts 21, thereby generating electricity.
  • the carrier frameworks 25 rise with the secondary buoyancy tanks 27, the electricity generators 24 are maintained substantially aligned with the rotational axes 22 of the drive shafts 21. As the water from the rising tide flows through the water races 19, the level of water in the water containment area 10 rises.
  • the water level on the seaward side 11 of the dam 3 commences to fall relative to the water level in the water containment area 10.
  • water commences to flow from the water containment area 10 back to the sea 11 through the water races 19, thereby rotating the water wheels 20 in the opposite direction to that in which the water wheels 20 were rotating in response to the rising tide.
  • the main and secondary buoyancy tanks 17 and 27 fall in response to the falling water level in the water containment area 10, for so long as the water level in the water containment area 10 is above the level of the water on the seaward side 11 of the dam 3, thereby maintaining the rotational axes 22 of the drive shafts 21 and the electricity generators 24 substantially aligned, and maintaining the water flowing through the water races 19 from the water containment area 10 to the sea for rotating the water wheel 20. Additionally, the falling main buoyancy tanks 17 maintain the water wheels 20 in the water races 19.
  • the dam panels 30 of the dam elements 15 slide downwardly under the force of gravity in the main guide slots 29 defined between the corresponding pairs of stanchions 28.
  • the lower dam panels 30 of the dam elements 15 enter the corresponding chambers 33 through the slots 34 and transition from the operative state into the folded state within the corresponding chambers 33.
  • the drive shafts 21 are rotated by the water wheels the same direction as the water wheels 20, and drive from the drive shafts 21 is transmitted to the electricity generators 24 for driving the generators 24 for in turn generating electricity.
  • FIG. 16 to 26 there is illustrated an energy generating system according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 60, also for generating electricity from a sea tide.
  • the energy generating system 60 comprises a dam also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 61 extending across a tidal estuary.
  • the energy generating system 60 and the dam 61 are substantially similar to the energy generating system 1 and the dam 3 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15 , and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals.
  • the main difference between the energy generating system 60 and the energy generating system 1 lies in the dam 61.
  • the dam 61 comprises a means for controlling the water level differential between the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 3.
  • the means for controlling water level differential comprises a sluice means, namely, a sluice 63 which comprises first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 respectively, which extend between an adjacent pair of the upstanding support members 12.
  • the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 are spaced apart from each other and extend parallel to each other upwardly from the sea bed 14.
  • the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 are sealably secured to the corresponding pairs of stanchions 28 of the respective upstanding support members 12.
  • the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69 are vertically equi-spaced apart in the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66, with the first sluice openings 68 in the first sluice panel 65 aligned with the second sluice openings 69 in the second sluice panel 66.
  • a closure means in this embodiment of the invention comprising a closure panel 70 is located between the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 and is provided with a plurality of rectangular communicating openings 72 extending therethrough, which are equi-spaced apart vertically in the closure panel 70.
  • the communicating openings 72 are of substantially similar size to the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69, and the spacing of the communicating openings 72 from each other is substantially similar to the spacing between the first sluice openings 68 in the first sluice panel 65 and the spacing between the second sluice openings 69 in the second sluice panel 66.
  • the closure panel 70 is slideable upwardly and downwardly between the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 between a closed state illustrated in Fig. 21 with the closure panel closing the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69 of the first and second sluice panel 65 and 66, and an open state illustrated in Fig. 22 , with the communicating openings 72 aligned with the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69 of the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 for communicating the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69, for in turn accommodating water flow between the water containment area 10 and the sea for rapidly varying the water level differential between the water level in the water containment area 10 and the water level on the seaward side 11 of the dam 61.
  • An urging means for urging the closure panel 70 between the open and closed states may comprise any suitable urging means, for example, an electrically powered linear motor, an electrically powered rotary motor, an hydraulic or pneumatic ram, or an hydraulic or pneumatic motor.
  • the urging means comprises an hydraulic ram 73 mounted on a mounting bracket extending across and between the first and second sluice panels 65 and 66 adjacent the top thereof.
  • a piston rod 74 of the hydraulic ram 73 is connected to the closure panel 70 for operating the closure panel 70 between the open and closed states.
  • a monitoring means for monitoring the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 61 comprises a pair of level sensors 75 mounted on brackets 76 extending outwardly from the cross-members 46 of one of the support frameworks 23 of one of the centremost dam elements 15 for monitoring the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 61, see Figs. 24 and 25 .
  • a control means namely, an electronic controller comprising a microcontroller 77 reads signals from the level sensors 75 and computes the water level differential between the water levels on the respective opposite sides of the dam 61, see Fig. 26 .
  • the microcontroller 77 is programmed to operate the ram 73 through an hydraulic circuit 78 for urging the closure panel 70 from the closed state to the open state to permit flow of water from one side of the dam 61 to the other through the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69 in response to the water level differential exceeding a predefined water level differential value.
  • the microcontroller 77 is programmed to maintain the closure panel 70 in the open state until the water level differential falls below the predefined water level differential value.
  • the microcontroller 77 is programmed to operate the ram for in turn operating the closure panel 70 from the open state to the closed state, thus closing the first and second sluice openings 68 and 69 and preventing further flow of water through the sluice 63.
  • the predefined water level differential value is selected to limit the water level differential between the water levels on the respective sides of the dam 61 to a value which the dam elements 15 can withstand without any danger to their integrity, and to avoid any danger of damage to the dam 61 or to any other part thereof.
  • the operation of the energy generating system and the dam 61 is similar to that already described with reference to the energy generating system 1 and dam 3 described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15 , with the exception that should the microcontroller 77 determine from signals read from the level sensors 75 that the water level differential of the water level on the respective opposite sides of the dam 61 exceeds the predefined water level differential value, the microcontroller 77 operates the ram 73 for urging the closure panel 70 from the closed to the open state. The microcontroller 77 retains the ram 73 powered with the closure panel 70 in the open state until the water level differential falls below the predefined water level differential value.
  • the microcontroller 77 operates the ram 73 for urging the closure panel 70 from the open state to the closed state.
  • the microcontroller 77 retains the ram 73 powered for retaining the closure panel 70 in the closed state until the water level differential again exceeds the predefined water level differential value.
  • the energy generating system 60 and the dam 61 and their operation are similar to the energy generating system 1 and dam 3 and their operation.
  • Figs. 16 to 26 Since the energy generating system of Figs. 16 to 26 has been described as comprising a single sluice means, it is envisaged that more than one sluice means may be provided, in which case, the sluice means would be provided at spaced apart intervals across the dam.
  • the dam elements may be non-adjustably secured to the main and secondary buoyancy tanks, in which case, the topmost one of the dam panels would be rigidly secured to the corresponding one of the main and secondary buoyancy tanks, and the winch and chain connection could be dispensed with.
  • a water level differential monitoring means may be provided on the energy generating system described with reference to Figs. 1 to 15 for monitoring the water level differential on the respective opposite sides of the dam.
  • a control circuit would also be provided, and the winches could be motor driven for raising or lowering the dam elements relative to the main and secondary buoyancy tanks depending on the water level differential.
  • the dam elements would be sealably secured to the main and secondary buoyancy tanks, and in the event of the water level differential monitoring means detecting the water level differential on the respective opposite sides of the dam exceeding the predefined water level differential value, the motor driven winches would be operated for lowering the dam elements in order to allow water to flow rapidly from the side of the dam with the higher water level to the side of the dam with the lower water level in order to reduce the water level differential to the predefined water level differential value.
  • the winch motors would again be operated to raise the dam elements to sealably secure the dam elements to the corresponding main and secondary buoyancy tanks.
  • water level differential monitoring means has been described as comprising a pair of water level sensors which detect the physical level of the water on respective opposite sides of the dam, it is envisaged that any other suitable water level differential monitoring means may be provided, for example, pressure transducers, located on the sea bed on the respective opposite sides of the dam.
  • each dam element would be provided with a single buoyancy means, for example, a buoyancy tank having a channel shaped recess extending from one side to the other, which would define the water race. It is also envisaged that in certain embodiments of the invention the water race may extend into one or more of the upper ones of the dam panels of each dam element.
  • each water wheel has been described as being of a specific construction, any other suitable constructions of water wheel may be used. Indeed, it is envisaged that in certain cases the water engaging means of each water wheel may comprise a plurality of conventional water wheel paddles equi-spaced apart circumferentially around the peripheral rim and extending radially outwardly therefrom instead of the water engaging tubular elements. Furthermore, where water engaging tubular elements are provided on the peripheral rim of the water wheel, the tubular members need not necessarily be evacuated to a pressure below atmospheric pressure, and whether evacuated or otherwise may be of any other shape than cylindrical.
  • each water wheel has been described as mounted fast on a drive shaft, and the drive shaft of the water wheels have been described as being connected in series by universal joints, in certain embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that one single elongated drive shaft may be provided on which the water wheels would be mounted fast spaced apart from each other. In which case, it is envisaged that the support frameworks would be rigidly joined together so that all the support frameworks moved in tandem. It is also envisaged that the carrier frameworks on which the electricity generators are carried may also be rigidly connected to the support frameworks, and in which case, the single drive shaft to which the water wheels are mounted fast would drive the respective electricity generators directly.

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Claims (15)

  1. Energieerzeugungssystem zum Erzeugen von Energie aus einer Meeresgezeitenströmung, mit einem Wehr (3, 61), welches dazu konfiguriert ist, einen Wasserrückhaltebereich (10) von einem Meer zu trennen, wobei das Wehr (3, 61) mindestens ein Wehrelement (15) mit variabler Höhe aufweist, einem Auftriebsmittel (17, 27), das mit jedem Wehrelement (15) zusammenwirken kann und dazu eingerichtet ist, die Höhe des entsprechenden Wehrelements (15) in Reaktion auf einen Wasserpegel zu steuern, wobei das Wehrelement (15) dazu konfiguriert ist, eine Wasserrinne (19) zwischen dem Wasserrückhaltebereich (10) und dem Meer festzulegen, um eine Wasserströmung zwischen dem Meer und dem Wasserrückhaltebereich (10) zu ermöglichen, und einem Wasserrad (20), das in jeder Wasserrinne (19) betriebsfähig angeordnet ist und dazu konfiguriert ist, nutzbare Energie zu erzeugen, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Wehrelement (15) eine Vielzahl von Stautafeln (30) umfasst, die gelenkig in Reihe verbunden sind.
  2. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Auftriebsmittel (17, 27) dazu konfiguriert ist, das entsprechende Wehrelement (15) als Reaktion auf eine steigende Flut allmählich anzuheben.
  3. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mindestens eine Hauptführungseinrichtung (29) dazu eingerichtet ist, jedes Wehrelement (15) in einer allgemein aufwärts und abwärts gerichteten Richtung zu führen.
  4. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stautafeln (30) jedes Wehrelements (15) abdichtend und verschiebbar mit der entsprechenden Hauptführungseinrichtung (29) in Eingriff bringbar sind.
  5. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass ein Paar voneinander beabstandeter, aufrecht stehender Stützelemente (12) vorhanden ist, die sich von einem Meeresboden (14) nach oben erstrecken, um jedes Wehrelement (15) zwischen sich abzustützen, und dass eine Hauptdichtungseinrichtung (35) vorhanden ist, um eine Abdichtung zwischen jedem Wehrelement (15) und den entsprechenden aufrecht stehenden Stützelementen (12) zu bilden.
  6. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 5, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Wehrelement (15) und die zugehörigen Auftriebsmittel (17, 27) dazu eingerichtet sind, sich relativ zu dem Paar aufrecht stehender Stützelemente (12) bewegen.
  7. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stautafeln (30) jedes Wehrelements (15) in einer Ziehharmonika-Weise zwischen einem funktionsunfähigen gefalteten Zustand, in dem die Stautafeln (30) nebeneinander und parallel zueinander liegen, und einem betriebsfähigen Zustand bewegbar sind, in dem die Stautafeln (30) im Wesentlichen in einer Linie aneinandergereiht sind, um das Wehrelement (15) zu bilden.
  8. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 7, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stautafeln (30) jedes Wehrelements (15) dazu eingerichtet sind, in Reaktion auf eine Aufwärtsbewegung der zugehörigen Auftriebsmittel (17, 27) fortschreitend aus dem gefalteten Zustand in den betriebsfähigen Zustand gezogen werden, und dass die Stautafeln (30) in Reaktion auf eine Abwärtsbewegung der zugehörigen Auftriebsmittel (17, 27) fortschreitend aus dem betriebsfähigen Zustand in den gefalteten Zustand zurückgeführt werden.
  9. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 7 oder 8, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stautafeln (30) jedes Wehrelements (15) beschwert sind, um in Reaktion auf die Abwärtsbewegung der zugehörigen Auftriebsmittel (17, 27) durch Schwerkraft in den gefalteten Zustand zurückzukehren.
  10. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der Ansprüche 7 bis 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Stautafeln (30) jedes Wehrelements (15) im gefalteten Zustand in einer zugehörigen Kammer (33) aufbewahrt sind.
  11. Energieerzeugungssystem nach Anspruch 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Kammer (33) jedes Wehrelements (15), in der dessen Stautafeln (30) in gefaltetem Zustand aufbewahrt sind, neben dem Meeresboden (14) angeordnet ist.
  12. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Wasserrad (20) dazu konfiguriert ist, sich in Reaktion auf eine steigende Flut in eine Richtung zu drehen und sich in Reaktion auf eine abnehmende Flut in die entgegengesetzte Richtung zu drehen.
  13. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass jedes Wasserrad (20) mehrere in Umfangsrichtung beabstandete Wassereingriffselemente (55) umfasst, die sich auf dem Wasserrad (20) befinden und dazu ausgeführt sind, sich in die zugehörige Wasserrinne (19) zu erstrecken, wobei jedes Wassereingriffselement (55) einen hohlen Innenbereich festlegt, der auf einen Druck unterhalb des Atmosphärendrucks evakuiert ist.
  14. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass mehrere Wasserrinnen (19) durch mehrere zugehörige Wehrelemente (15) festgelegt sind, wobei jedes Wasserrad (20) fest auf einer Antriebswelle (21) montiert ist, die drehbar auf den zugehörigen Auftriebsmitteln (17, 27) gelagert ist, und die Antriebswellen (21) der Wasserräder (20), die den jeweiligen Wehrelementen (15) zugehörig sind, in Reihe verbunden sind und ihrerseits mit einem Stromgenerator (24) gekoppelt sind.
  15. Energieerzeugungssystem nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass eine Schleuseneinrichtung (63) vorhanden ist, um Wasser wahlweise zu erlauben, unter Umgehung der einen oder der mehreren Wasserrinnen (19) durch das Wehr (3, 61) zu strömen, wobei die Schleuseneinrichtung (63) eine Schleusenplatte (65, 66) mit mindestens einer durch sie verlaufenden Schleusenöffnung (68, 69), eine Verschlusseinrichtung (70), die zwischen einem geschlossenen Zustand, in dem sie die mindestens eine Schleusenöffnung (68, 69) verschließt, und einem offenen Zustand betreibbar ist, in dem Wasser ermöglicht ist, durch die mindestens eine Schleusenöffnung (68, 69) zu fließen, und eine Antriebseinrichtung (73) umfasst, um die Verschlusseinrichtung (70) zwischen dem offenen und dem geschlossenen Zustand zu treiben, und wobei eine Wasserstandsdifferenz-Überwachungseinrichtung (75) vorhanden ist zum Überwachen der Wasserstandsdifferenz auf jeweiligen gegenüberliegenden Seiten des Wehrs (3, 61), wobei die Antriebseinrichtung (73) auf die überwachte, einen vordefinierten Wasserstandsdifferenzwert überschreitende Wasserstandsdifferenz anspricht, um die Verschlusseinrichtung (70) aus dem geschlossenen Zustand in den offenen Zustand zu treiben.
EP18717134.3A 2017-03-07 2018-03-07 Energieerzeugungssystem und verfahren zur erzeugung von energie aus einer meeresflut Active EP3592970B1 (de)

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IES20170052 2017-03-07
IES20170142 2017-07-12
PCT/IE2018/000002 WO2018163145A1 (en) 2017-03-07 2018-03-07 An energy generating system and a method for generating energy from a sea tide

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US20210277864A1 (en) 2021-09-09

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